UCU Lady Canons returned to winning ways while defending champions Namuwongo Blazers stretched their impressive run as the 2026 National Basketball League first round edged closer to its conclusion on Wednesday night.
At the Lugogo Indoor Arena, UCU brushed aside Nabisunsa Girls 80-46 in a commanding performance to respond emphatically to their recent loss against JT Lady Jaguars.
In the game that was live on NBS Sport 2, exclusively on AfroMobile, the Lady Canons wasted no time asserting control, racing to a 28-08 lead in the opening quarter, capped by Mariam Asacha’s three-pointer.
They maintained their momentum in the second period, with Asacha continuing to shine from beyond the arc, supported by Martha Yikuru’s driving layup as UCU took a 21-point advantage into halftime.
After the break, Christine Saima caught fire with consecutive long-range shots to stretch the lead to 66-34, effectively putting the game beyond reach. UCU comfortably managed the final quarter to seal a dominant 34-point victory.
Doreen Nakibuuka and Asacha led the scoring with 11 points apiece, while Saima added 10. For Nabisunsa, Melissa Kisakye (16 points) and Abigail Mpoza (12) were the standout performers, but their efforts proved insufficient against a clinical UCU side.
Elsewhere in the women’s division, defending champions JKL Lady Dolphins secured their sixth consecutive victory with a convincing 68-47 win over KIU Rangers, while Magic Stormers defeated Miracle Eaglets 68-52 to extend the latter’s consecutive winless run to five games.
In the men’s category, Namuwongo Blazers underlined their title defence credentials with an 88-75 victory over Kampala Rockets at Lugogo in a game broadcast live on NBS Sport.
The win marked the Blazers’ eighth straight triumph, propelling them to the top of the standings and reinforcing their dominance in this year’s campaign.
Despite being severely depleted, with only six players available, Kampala Rockets showed resilience and pushed the champions for large spells. However, their efforts ultimately fell short against a well-balanced Blazers side.
Gideon Kasasa led all scorers with 22 points for the Rockets, while Fataki Nyembo Franck paced the Blazers with 18 points. Innocent Ochera and Peter Obleng contributed 17 and 13 points respectively, with James Okello adding 10.
Tonny Drileba, who was making his first appearance of the season, impressed with a joint game high nine rebounds, matching teammate Arthur Wanyoto, while also leading the game’s assist charts with eight.
The result leaves Rockets with just two wins from ten games, highlighting a difficult season compounded by on and off-court challenges, including limited squad availability and reports of the team not training enough.
In other men’s results, Rezlife Saints defeated JKL Dolphins 53-36, while KCCA Panthers edged Victoria Crocs 83-79 in a tightly contested encounter.
The league continues tomorrow, Good Friday, April 3, with five fixtures at Lugogo Indoor Arena, three of which will be broadcast live, before concluding on Sunday, April 12, after games next Wednesday and Friday.
